Chapter 4

The yard and the return to water

Sea Change is back in the water. Something was pulling me to have her back in the water, in hopes of her being in her natural habitat we may spend more time together. Even now, as I write this, I do miss her.

She spent the last 3 months on the hard.

-fresh polish and wax

-upholstery cleaned

- keel joint repair and bottom paint

- disassembled the head for servicing

-stripped the top coat of the cabin sole and applied 5 layers of varnish

-new cutlass bearing

-new dripless propshaft seal

-serviced prop

-gave the deck a good wash

-added hailing port decal

-cleaned water tanks

-refurbished the saloon table

The cabin sole isn’t sparkling and the wear shows through the newly added protective coats. And like us, although we may show strength and beauty on the outside, there are things within us that are not perfect, not new. It’s who we are. But knowing of these imperfections, we can continue on with acceptance. And that’s it, we still move forward. It may seem like we are standing or swaying in place, but with each passing day, each passing moment, aren’t we closer to something new? An end? A new beginning. Aren’t these things constant? The constant of change. A day older, something of our physical self not as strong as the day before. For one day, it will cease to be. But there’s something else. Something that feels stronger and still alive as time goes on. Something that can’t be touched. A floating essence.

At the end of her time in the yard came the task of bringing her back to Manatee Pocket where I’ve secured a mooring ball for the next three months. My next focus is repairing the head and having the marine plumbing in order and the bathroom neat and tidy. I haven’t replaced the oven yet, but have a camping stove that I can use for now. It’s simple and efficient.

The journey took 6 hrs to motor. The weather was fair, clear blue skies with a scattered cloud here and there. And I had two sets of extra hands. My mother and father joined me for the journey.

To share the space of a vessel, there must be flow. For we are all now in the same space. The boat has an energy, the waters have an energy. All three forces: vessels, waters, people, must form a rhythm. If one of the three are out of sync, it is likened to crashing waves upon the shore being interrupted by the receding flow of those previously broken. A force interrupted can range from inconvenient to catastrophic.

The journey was smooth and the most important part was that all arrived safely. Lessons learned through repetition, all to be acknowledged and improved on. A task impossible if our vessels are no more.

Second time in the St. Lucie Lock and Dam was mainly uneventful and I now have a better understanding of what to expect. PFDs on, fenders out early, solar panels down, boat hooks ready, lines ready in case none are provided. The release of the water comes without notice. So be prepared to sweat or loosen your lines if you’ve made them too short.

At times it feels like I’m not doing much. But in the rare event that someone captures a moment and I look upon the image, it seems that I am. Eager to get her sails out. I am motivated towards cruising and seeing the capabilities of Sea Change and myself.

In my mind I have left space for a second haul out. For aside from the sea trial, I haven’t sailed Sea Change. Haven’t had the opportunity to go through every little detail. But for now, I chose to work on her while in the water. Much to do and more to come.